Roberto Martinez has been sacked as manager of Everton, the club has confirmed.

The Spaniard had been under immense pressure following a dismal season that sees the club currently sitting 12th in the Premier League. It means his last game was a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Sunderland.

The club confirmed the move on Twitter after a day of intense speculation. "Everton Football Club regrets to announce that Roberto Martinez has left his position as First Team Manager with immediate effect," read the tweet.

The decision to part ways with Martinez comes ahead of tonight's end-of-season awards dinner at which it was reported protests were planned calling for his head. Fans have grown increasingly disillusioned with the 42-year-old's methods and the apparent lack of progress during his three years in charge at Goodison Park.

Martinez arrived at the club from Wigan in 2013 to replace David Moyes and still has three years left on his contract, worth a reported £4m a year. In his first season in charge Everton finished fifth but last season ended it 11th.

Frank de Boer, who quit as manager of Ajax earlier today, has been installed as the favourite to replace Martinez. Mark Hughes, Manuel Pellegrini, Ronald Koeman and Rafa Benitez are also in the running according to bookmakers.

Everton play relegated Norwich at Goodison Park on the final day of the season.